Back to photostream

Checked & Cocked

ex Royal Air Force No.43 Squadron (Fighting Cocks) McDonnell-Douglas Phantom FGR.2 XV586/AJ stored outside the FAA Museum at Yeovilton.

 

When the TSR.2 programme and subsequent F.111 purchase were ditched we eventually acquired Phantoms instead, some for the Royal Navy and some for the Royal Air Force but to appease various factions we had Rolls-Royce Spey engines fitted. Unfortunately they didn't match the performance of the Pratt & Whitney powered original example so becoming the slowest Phantoms flying.

 

Several ex RN and RAF Phantoms survive and prior to finding it's way South to Yeovilton this example was previously preserved at RAF Leuchars in Scotland. With recent changes forced upon or military, having spent lots of money on a runway upgrade and facilities for the new Typhoon fighter force recently located there, it was announced that Leuchars is now to close and the Typhoons will move to Lossiemouth instead......................!

 

Much better if viewed on black

 

 

5,369 views
7 faves
15 comments
Uploaded on October 19, 2012
Taken on October 16, 2012